Signs of a Concussion Injury

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, concussion injuries are on the rise among high school-age athletes. Approximately 500,000 children ranging in age from 8 to 19 years old were treated at emergency rooms for a concussion. Nearly half the injuries were related to a sporting activity. The American College of Sports Research reports that there are over two million concussions each year, with most of them going undiagnosed. The Texas Department of Health is committed to helping residents become familiar with the signs of a serious head injury and they have specialists on hand each day to answer questions from the general public.

A concussion injury is more common than most people are aware and often they are not taken seriously. These types of injuries can range from mild to severe and could potentially cause permanent brain damage. When athletes are still recovering from an initial concussion and sustain a second blow to the head, they can be left with catastrophic injuries. A trained coach, athletic trainer or team physician should immediately perform an initial evaluation of the player’s condition after being hit in the head.

Symptoms of a Concussion

A concussion injury is characterized by the temporary disruption of brain function due to trauma. A blow to the head or simply falling down could cause a concussion. Most people who suffer a concussion will recover quickly and fully. However, for some, the symptoms can last for days, weeks or even longer. The most common signs and symptoms of a concussion include the following:

Feeling pressure in the head or a prolonged headache

Temporary loss of consciousness

Dizziness or seeing stars

Ringing in the ears

Nausea or vomiting

Slurred speech

Feeling confused

Fatigue

Sensitivity to noise or light

Difficulty concentrating or remembering recent events

Some symptoms might appear right away, while others may go unnoticed for days or weeks after the injury. Children who suffer a concussion may exhibit signs of crankiness or irritability. There may be a change in their eating or sleeping patterns. Additional signs may include a lack of interest in playing with their favorite toys, unsteady walking or loss of balance.

Pursuing a Claim For Damages

When someone has suffered a head injury, they should seek medical treatment immediately. Most doctors will perform an initial evaluation of the patient by testing the person’s ability to pay attention, remember events or solve problems. The primary tools used to diagnose a concussion include a computed tomography (CT) scan or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. The MRI can examine the brain for tumors, an aneurysm or bleeding in the brain. Some doctors may be reluctant to order a CT scan on young children due to the high level of radiation exposure. However, an undiagnosed concussion could result in serious injuries or even death. If a doctor failed to diagnose a concussion, they may be guilty of medical malpractice. The statute of limitations in Texas requires victims to take legal action within two years from the date the medical malpractice occurred. However, this time limit can be extended in cases involving minors or victims who did not discover the cause of their injury. If you wish to pursue legal action against a medical professional or another individual responsible for your concussion, consult a San Antonio brain injury lawyer for legal advice.

Why You Need Legal Help to Win Your Case

Proving liability in any personal injury is the key element for a successful lawsuit. Personal injury attorneys are primarily interested in obtaining compensation for the victims and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. Our attorneys are skilled at representing clients in brain injury claims.

TIME IS CRITICAL

Please contact us as soon as possible so our lawyers may begin to gather evidence for you. Our experience is that witnesses tend to move, memories cloud and conditions which may have caused your accident and injury are corrected.